The small municipality of Mont-ral, located in the Alt Camp region, is once again grappling with severe water supply problems during the summer months. Since the end of May, fifteen tanker trucks have already been deployed to ensure basic supply for residents, a situation that repeats annually and causes discontent among the population.
Last week, some residents went up to four days without water, and the situation was again flagged this Wednesday, July 1st. Faced with this instability, many residents are taking preventive measures, such as storing water in containers, while demanding more detailed information about the issue.
The mayor, Luis Miguel Marín, explains that the municipality's single existing well is insufficient to meet demand during the summer, particularly on weekends when the number of residents and consumption increase significantly. Marín emphasizes the importance of responsible water usage and points out that the definitive solution lies in finding a second water source.
The Mont-ral Town Council has reiterated its request to the Catalan Water Agency (ACA) to resume water surveys. Previous explorations a few years ago reached depths of 300 meters without success. The objective is to reactivate old wells that could offer an alternative source, a task the council cannot afford alone.
In parallel, other actions are being undertaken. The council will cover the cost of replacing the pipeline connecting the current well, with a water intake at 250 meters, to the municipal reservoir, as it is an old infrastructure that may have leaks. Furthermore, with ACA's support, meters will be upgraded to digital models, and sectoral meters will be installed for more efficient leak detection. The water pressure, currently too high, will also be reduced to save water and prevent pipe bursts.
While these measures will contribute to improving the situation, the mayor stresses that they will not solve the underlying problem, which requires new surveys. Marín also points out that tanker trucks are a temporary solution and not always immediate, especially on weekends, which can prolong periods of water scarcity.
